In a result that no one saw coming saw coming – or that at least no major prognosticator admitted to publicly – No. 20 Illinois took down No. 15 South Carolina in a heated battle in the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Eve,

Josh McCray scored his second touchdown of the game on a 9-yard run midway through the fourth quarter to give No. 21 Illinois the lead, and the Illini held on to beat No. 14 South Carolina 21-17 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Illinois' defense helped seal the win by stopping South Carolina with a little more than three minutes remaining.